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Tofino Travel Guide

Once a fishing and logging town, Tofino, on the Pacific Rim of
Vancouver Island, is swiftly becoming a popular holiday destination
for travellers from around the globe. Tucked away at the entrance
of the Clayoquot Sound, the area is home to the Pacific Rim
National Park, gorgeous sandy stretches of beach, islands with
spectacular old growth forest (still under threat from logging
companies), hot springs, and Long Beach, Canada's premier surfing
spot. Home to only about 2,000 locals, Tofino, with its mild
climate, is resplendent with natural beauty. The area boasts plenty
of activities for visitors, including kayaking, whale watching,
surfing and fishing.

Hot Springs Cove, accessible only by air or sea, is open year
round and visitors can soak in rock pools filled with boiling
spring water cooled by ocean surf. Other popular sights include the
Eik Cedar, an 800-year-old tree that was rescued by residents after
it was condemned to be felled; the Tofino Botanical Gardens with
acres of forest, shoreline and gardens; and the Whale Centre
Maritime Museum housing fascinating artefacts. The Wickannish
Interpretive Centre, containing interesting information about the
region and the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, the area's original
inhabitants, is well worth a visit. Tofino offers visitors the
perfect combination of a range of activities, as well as a chance
to relax and put their feet up, surrounded by unparalleled
beauty.

There are plenty of shops for holidaymakers in Tofino, with many
specialising in First Nations art and crafts. The Bella Boutique on
the Pacific Rim Highway specialises in unique Canadian fashion,
jewellery and art; while the Tofino Gift Company carries a
selection of traditional Vancouver souvenirs like sweaters, local
art, and woodturnings.

Holiday visitors can find a number of restaurants in Tofino,
ranging from pizza and sushi to regionally grown and organic
handmade foods, fresh seafood, as well as Nuu-Chah-Nulth First
Nations cuisine, deli-style offerings and classic Italian. There
are also a number of catering services available.

There are a number of activities in Tofino and its surrounds,
with plenty to enthral and entertain holidaymakers year round.
Kayaking here is excellent; numerous bays and inlets provide a
great way to explore the area in a sheltered manner, while the more
adventurous can head out into the open ocean or opt to kayak with
Orcas. Whale watching is also a popular activity as pods of
migratory grey whales frequent the area in mid-spring, with guided
tours on offer by various charter companies. Tofino and
neighbouring Ucluelet celebrate this event with the entertaining
and interesting Pacific Rim Whale Festival from mid-March to
mid-April. Other activities in Tofino include world-class fishing,
scuba diving, windsurfing, hiking through the rainforest or beach
hiking, golfing, beach combing, eco tours, cultural tours and even
winter storm watching, as winds whip up the ocean and create huge
waves that crash spectacularly on the shore. Surfing, of course, is
immensely popular in Tofino, with Long Beach offering arguably the
best surf in the country, particularly in winter, and a unique Surf
Camp is available, as well as an all-women surf school.